Fall TV: The Year's Biggest Cast Shake-Ups

NCIS

Sorry, Tiva 'shippers! Cote de Pablo, who played main character Ziva David, has opted not to return to CBS' hit police procedural in its 11th season, thus permanently crushing the hopes and dreams of fans who wanted her to hook up with leading man Tony DiNozzo. CBS boss Les Moonves said Pablo was offered "a lot of money" to stay in the role, but "u… Read moreSorry, Tiva 'shippers! Cote de Pablo, who played main character Ziva David, has opted not to return to CBS' hit police procedural in its 11th season, thus permanently crushing the hopes and dreams of fans who wanted her to hook up with leading man Tony DiNozzo. CBS boss Les Moonves said Pablo was offered "a lot of money" to stay in the role, but "ultimately she decided she didn't want to do the show" – though she will appear in two episodes next season to wrap up Ziva's story line. At the very least, we hope they'll put to bed (perhaps literally?) speculation about what really happened between Ziva and Tony in Paris!
Photo by: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Glee

Following Cory Monteith's death on July 13 from a lethal mixture of heroin and alcohol, producers confirmed that his beloved character, Finn, will die in the third episode of the season. Although the show had recently reduced the roles original stars Amber Riley, Heather Morris, Mark Salling and Harry Shum Jr. in favor of promoting new kids such as… Read moreFollowing Cory Monteith's death on July 13 from a lethal mixture of heroin and alcohol, producers confirmed that his beloved character, Finn, will die in the third episode of the season. Although the show had recently reduced the roles original stars Amber Riley, Heather Morris, Mark Salling and Harry Shum Jr. in favor of promoting new kids such as Melissa Benoist and Jacob Artist, Finn was one of the show's most important characters, and the show will never be the same without him. Not only will fans never get real closure to where Finn's journey could have ended, but Gleeks must face the heartbreaking truth that Finchel will never end up together.Add to Watchlist: Glee
Photo by: Kwaku Alston/Fox

Parks and Recreation

News of the upcoming departures of Rob Lowe and Rashida Jones, which will occur halfway through Season 6, hit fans hard, even if it didn't come as a huge surprise. Lowe has to be one of the show's most expensive cast members and producers have had a hard time finding Ann's voice. However, Season 5 was by far Jones' strongest yet as Ann's quest to b… Read moreNews of the upcoming departures of Rob Lowe and Rashida Jones, which will occur halfway through Season 6, hit fans hard, even if it didn't come as a huge surprise. Lowe has to be one of the show's most expensive cast members and producers have had a hard time finding Ann's voice. However, Season 5 was by far Jones' strongest yet as Ann's quest to become a mother — with Chris' baby — brought out her inner weirdo. Where has she been hiding all this time? Here's hoping these two characters get literally everything they want.
Photo by: Colleen Hayes/NBC

The X Factor

As part of X Factor's third casting shuffle in as many seasons, Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio join Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato at the judges' table. It's a critical overhaul in the wake of the departure of L.A. Reid and Britney Spears, the latter of whom fans will miss for her star power and delightfully candid faces. The X Factor has not fared… Read moreAs part of X Factor's third casting shuffle in as many seasons, Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio join Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato at the judges' table. It's a critical overhaul in the wake of the departure of L.A. Reid and Britney Spears, the latter of whom fans will miss for her star power and delightfully candid faces. The X Factor has not fared as well in the ratings as its sister American Idol, and this injection of new chemistry could determine if it will make it to Season 4.
Photo by: Fox

The Mentalist

As the show zeroes in on catching series-long nemesis Red John, the collateral damage is likely to be significant. That could explain why original cast members Amanda Righetti and Owain Yeoman will both exit the show before the end of what creator Bruno Heller calls "the most dramatic and game-changing season" yet. The show does plan to fill Rigsby… Read moreAs the show zeroes in on catching series-long nemesis Red John, the collateral damage is likely to be significant. That could explain why original cast members Amanda Righetti and Owain Yeoman will both exit the show before the end of what creator Bruno Heller calls "the most dramatic and game-changing season" yet. The show does plan to fill Rigsby and Van Pelt's void with new characters, one of which could potentially be played by Rockmond Dunbar.Add to Watchlist: The Mentalist
Photo by: Sonja Flemming/CBS

Two and a Half Men

The CBS sitcom will be down a half man (well, he's technically a full man now) after Angus T. Jones departed the series he dubbed "filth" for college. (It's unclear if he will appear in Season 11 at all, as there is no deal in place yet.) He will be replaced by House's Amber Tamblyn, who will play the long-lost lesbian daughter of Charlie Sheen's n… Read moreThe CBS sitcom will be down a half man (well, he's technically a full man now) after Angus T. Jones departed the series he dubbed "filth" for college. (It's unclear if he will appear in Season 11 at all, as there is no deal in place yet.) He will be replaced by House's Amber Tamblyn, who will play the long-lost lesbian daughter of Charlie Sheen's now-dead Charlie Harper. While the long-lost relative twist is cliché, the fresh blood might give the aging series a creative jolt. Who are we kidding? Expect the same crude, low-brow jokes, this time with a lesbian twist.
Photo by: Cliff Lipson/CBS

Saturday Night Live

Three of SNL's most famous faces — Bill Hader, Fred Armisen and Jason Sudeikis — won't be returning… and they're taking their characters with them. That means no more Stefon, Penny Marshall or Joe Biden. But while the variety show is losing a trio of great vets, the cast exodus does open up space for new blood, which is important in k… Read moreThree of SNL's most famous faces — Bill Hader, Fred Armisen and Jason Sudeikis — won't be returning… and they're taking their characters with them. That means no more Stefon, Penny Marshall or Joe Biden. But while the variety show is losing a trio of great vets, the cast exodus does open up space for new blood, which is important in keeping the long-running show fresh. Maybe they'll even hire a black woman this season. Because no matter how much the show seems to think otherwise, Kenan Thompson is not one.
Photo by: Dana Edelson/NBC; Dana Edelson/NBC

Revenge

At the end of Season 2, Connor Paolo's, Declan was killed off, which was neither shocking nor a huge loss for the viewers. But his death will certainly have lasting effects on Jack, who has lost his dad, dog, wife and now brother. Meanwhile, Ashley Madekwe, is set to exit the ABC drama early in the third season. Besides her being Daniel's ex and a… Read moreAt the end of Season 2, Connor Paolo's, Declan was killed off, which was neither shocking nor a huge loss for the viewers. But his death will certainly have lasting effects on Jack, who has lost his dad, dog, wife and now brother. Meanwhile, Ashley Madekwe, is set to exit the ABC drama early in the third season. Besides her being Daniel's ex and a part-time schemer, we don't think her departure will weigh too heavily on the plot.
Photo by: Vivian Zink/ABC; Danny Feld/ABC

Suburgatory

Poor George (Jeremy Sisto) will be feeling the pain when the ABC comedy returns. Not only did he lose his girlfriend, Dallas, and his daughter, Tessa, in the Season 2 finale, but now he will be without his trust best friend, Noah, as Alan Tudyk leaves the series. Despite his sometimes zany romantic story line in Season 2, Noah will be missed. Unfor… Read morePoor George (Jeremy Sisto) will be feeling the pain when the ABC comedy returns. Not only did he lose his girlfriend, Dallas, and his daughter, Tessa, in the Season 2 finale, but now he will be without his trust best friend, Noah, as Alan Tudyk leaves the series. Despite his sometimes zany romantic story line in Season 2, Noah will be missed. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the also-exiting Rex Lee's Principal Wolfe, who never felt like a fully realized part of the series.Add to Watchlist: Suburgatory
Photo by: Adam Taylor/ABC

Grey's Anatomy

As the new crop of interns who joined the ABC medical drama last season, Camilla Luddington, Gaius Charles, Jerrika Hinton and Tessa Ferrer have all been bumped up to series regulars. That means they'll join the rest of the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital crew in having more prominent storylines, including Jo's budding relationship with Alex. Unfortun… Read moreAs the new crop of interns who joined the ABC medical drama last season, Camilla Luddington, Gaius Charles, Jerrika Hinton and Tessa Ferrer have all been bumped up to series regulars. That means they'll join the rest of the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital crew in having more prominent storylines, including Jo's budding relationship with Alex. Unfortunately, Tina Majorino won't be back with the series because she's starring on TNT's Legends.Add to Watchlist: Grey's Anatomy
Photo by: Ron Tom/ABC

How I Met Your Mother

HIMYM finally gave the people what they wanted in the Season 8 finale: The Mother! Cristin Milioti, who earned a Tony nomination for Once, joins the ninth and final season as the long-awaited future Mrs. Mosby, whom Ted will finally meet on the train platform after Barney and Robin's wedding. After all these years of waiting to meet her ourselves,… Read moreHIMYM finally gave the people what they wanted in the Season 8 finale: The Mother! Cristin Milioti, who earned a Tony nomination for Once, joins the ninth and final season as the long-awaited future Mrs. Mosby, whom Ted will finally meet on the train platform after Barney and Robin's wedding. After all these years of waiting to meet her ourselves, we will still need to wait a bit longer for Ted to meet his OTP: The final season will play out over the course of the wedding weekend, during which every one of the gang will meet The Mother before Ted. And when he does, his future children can finally see daylight for the first time in nine years!Add to Watchlist: How I Met Your Mother
Photo by: CBS

Person of Interest

After becoming major players in the CBS drama's twisty narrative last season, Sarah Shahi and Amy Acker have been upgraded to series regulars for Season 3. Although Shahi's Shaw will join Reese and Finch in their weekly hunt for the POI, her quick-trigger temperament could be a problem. Meanwhile, we're intrigued to see how the Machine's relationsh… Read moreAfter becoming major players in the CBS drama's twisty narrative last season, Sarah Shahi and Amy Acker have been upgraded to series regulars for Season 3. Although Shahi's Shaw will join Reese and Finch in their weekly hunt for the POI, her quick-trigger temperament could be a problem. Meanwhile, we're intrigued to see how the Machine's relationship with Acker's root develops while she's behind bars. (Something tells us she won't stay their long.)
Photo by: Giovanni Rufino/CBS; Giovanni Rufino/Warner Bros.

Law & Order: SVU

When the procedural returns for Season 15, Tony-nominated actor Raul Esparza will put the order back into Law & Order full-time as a newly promoted series regular. The news was welcomed by fans who warmed to ADA Barba's brash but determined demeanor as he slowly became an unofficial member of the SVU squad. And who doesn't love his snazzy outfits?
Add to Watchlist: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Photo by: Michael Parmelee/NBC